Anchorage, Alaska—
Snow safety professionals from across the state gathered in Anchorage on Friday for a first-of-its-kind conference. Experts talked about the need for a standardized snow safety forecasting system and more education resources to better-equip those who venture into Alaska's back-country. The conference was organized by the North America Outdoor Institute (NAOI). Debra McGhan, the executive director of NAOI says Alaska has the fewest number of people who recreate in the winter, but ranks number one in the country for avalanche-related deaths. She says on average, two people are killed in avalanches every year in Alaska.
Avalanche forecaster Tom Mattice says snow safety education is what saves lives. Courses teach back-country users how to spot danger signs in the snow, what to do when caught in an avalanche slide, the proper gear to bring, and how to use it.
"Our back-country use is exploding but the fatality rate is not. So that shows that education is working," said Mattice.
The snow safety conference continues Saturday with a public training session from 1pm-6pm on the Alaska Pacific University. The cost is $20.
